Teachings of Jesus (Part 21) About Worry
Teachings of Jesus (Part 21) Warning To Beware Of Worry
Open: (Pace back and forth with a worried look on my face.) Then ask, ‘Have you ever paced the floor back and forth worried sick about something?’ Maybe you don’t pace the floor when you are worried, maybe instead you can’t sleep at night and just toss and turn in bed thinking about what you are worried about. Or maybe you eat more than you should, or just the wrong things when you are worried. Some even have worst habits when they are worried; some get angry or just plain mean; some even loose themselves in a bottle of alcohol. We’ve all worried about something at one time or another and today we will be looking at what Jesus has to say about worrying.
Read Luke 12: 22-31 “22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Our English word for worry comes from an Anglo Saxon word that means “to strangle.” Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of it’s sorrow, “it empties today of it’s strength.”
I think Jesus asked a great question when He asked here, “25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Can anyone here remember having any of their needs fulfilled by worrying? If anything, worry usually guarantees that you will make situation even worse.
According to the grammar here, Jesus is not suggesting that we should not worry, He is commanding us not to worry! You see, Jesus knows that worry is a very dangerous thing.
1. Worry robs life of it’s joy
2. And at worry’s root is a lack of trust in God He said ‘Oh you of little faith’
3. And many times in our pursuit to soothe worry we commit acts of sin.
4. Worry also has adverse physical effects.
Many physicians believe that worry causes or contributes to: ulcers, colitis, asthma, migraine, strokes, paralysis, arthritis, fatigue, hypertension and diabetes and more. Researchers have stated that more than 1/2 of all hospital beds are occupied by anxious-ridden patients. Now there is a difference between concern and worry. Concerns are something we regard as important, note worthy, and deserving our attention. Things we are concerned about may cause us to do our best to fix the problem, but we are wise if we leave the rest up to God.
On the other hand, when we worry about something we attempt to deal with on our own… We if we dwell on the problem and choose not to give it to God it will eat away at us. You know, ‘What am I going to do? What am I going to do? What am I…..?’
So if Jesus commands us not to worry, what are some things that we can do to help us overcome this problem or even prevent us from worrying in the first place.
#1) THE FIRST thing we can do is to remember that the all knowing, the all powerful, the ever present, and all loving God knows all our needs; and we can trust Him to give us what we really need at just the right time. (Not always what we WANT, but what we really NEED).
The Bible tells us that we are sheep in His flock… Children in His family… Servants in His Kingdom. He is God and our needs have not escaped His notice. God has promised to take care of us. He has promised to give us good gifts.
When problems come rolling into our lives that cause us to be concerned(AND BELIEVE THEY WILL ROLL IN) — we do not have to get our self sick and worry about them because we are told in Romans 8:28 ” …that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” Father God is watching your back! So learn to trust Him.
In that same chapter in Romans it also says “If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
What a promise!
So the first step in overcoming worry in our life is to remember that God has our back and we just need to learn to trust Him. Can you do that?
#2. Another thing that we should do is, make sure that our priorities are right. If we are simply focused on things which are temporary and transient, or on things that have to do with this earthly life, we will worry more.
As a matter of fact, whenever you and I worry it just may be a red flag that indicates that we are focused too much on the things of this world and that our hearts are anchored here more than on heaven.
I kinda think that’s why Jesus said, that if you get to that point you’d be better off “Selling your possessions and give to the poor” (so you can) Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven. He said this because, “ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “
In verse 31, Jesus tells us it’s more important to seek 1st the kingdom of God than the things of this world, and not to worry because if we put God in the forefront of our life, Jesus said He is going to take care of our needs.
So you need to ask yourself, “Am I really seeking the kingdom of God?” I believe that if you stay focused on Him and His will, He will undoubtedly watch over every aspect of your life.
I don’t know who wrote this, but someone came up with this letter from God, and said that we should read it on a regular basis. It goes like this:
Good afternoon, I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If the devil happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, DO NOT attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFJTD (something for Jesus to do) box. It will be addressed in MY time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or attempt to remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that is the proper assumption. Because I do not sleep or slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest, my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away.
Sad to say but I think people are way too concerned and worry about their worldly possessions and what they’ve done to get them. That’s why Jesus warned against greed as we saw in our last lesson. Instead Jesus lets us know the smart thing to do is focus on his kingdom, and not this world.
So some cures for worry are… #1. To Cast your worries on the One who CARES for you – our Heavenly Father. In Peter’s first epistle he wrote in 5:6-7, Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
#2) Learn to put God, eternal matters and heavenly things first in your life.
Matters of this earth are here today and gone tomorrow, but eternal matters are forever.
#3) Another good suggestions is to replace feeling of worry, and pacing the floor, with time in PRAYER. The apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Did you get that, if you bring your request to God with thanksgiving, God is going to bless you with some peace of mind.
But like James wrote in his epistle in chapter 1, if we ask God for something we also need to believe that God is going provide what we need. (James 1:6)
#4) And finally one other good suggestion I read that helps calm a worried heart is to fill your heart and mind with WORSHIP instead of worry. In Philippians 4:8 Paul also wrote, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).
In other words, stop the stinkin thinking and start focusing and thinking about good and wholesome things. Instead of torturing your mind with the “what if” questions, calm your mind by talking to someone, or put on some good spiritual music, or read something positive, wholesome and beneficial. Think about what God has promised and offer Him praise and worship rather than self centered negative thought.
I pray that a worried mind does not get the best of you.